Okay, just for clarification, Ford "owned up" to vibration problems a while back; this is why there's several service messages and TSBs detailing things to try and correct the problem. I've heard through the grapevine that more updated parts and service procedures are due out by about the 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year to attempt fixes for vibration and noise concerns.

My guess for the revised tire coverage warranty was that enough pissed off customers got gears turning at the corporate level.

 

I think there is some confusion on this site when we talk about vibration in general. There are two types of vibration with these trucks and two seperate TSB's to address both types. One is steering wheel nibble or harshness, and the other is driveline or harmonic vibration. Let's keep the two seperate when talking about vibration. I feel Ford has already admitted there was a problem when they released TSB's in regards to these two issues and also trucks are being replaced by the DSB which also indicates there is an issue.

Ron

 

PALongbow...good point! The vibe issue isn't a generic problem, it's specific to particular causes. The extended tire warranty is related only to the nibble issue and is not relevant to the driveline issue.

Unfortunately, Ford is using one issue to stonewall owners with the other issue. In my case, the dealer refuses to address my driveline vibe (TSB 04-3-3) because I replaced the OEM tires. That, he purports, prevents him from replacing the OEM tires per TSB as one of the required steps to addressing the driveline vibe.

 

gmascellino - could you e-mail me with some more info on the arbitration that you went through? I have an upcoming date in Tampa for arbitration with the FL attorney general and since you have already been down this path, I would like to ask you some more questions. My e-mail is:


thanks

robnton@verizon.net

 

Curmugeon,

I’m in the same boat as you are, Ford and my dealer are refusing to work on my truck due to my non-OEM wheels/tires.

I’m adding a copy of the extended tire warranty to my DSB packet that I’m mailing in this week. I’m also having my “certified” mechanic write a letter stating that mounting tires IAW TSB 04-25-7 is not a standard procedure that’s followed by every tire dealer. I’ve also hit up all the major tire dealers in my town and all I get is a vacant look when I show them the TSB.

I’m glad this letter arrived when it did.

Chuck

 

Chuck...to satisfy my curiosity, I had my wheel/tires road force balanced this week...no affect on the vibe. The tire dealer was very cooperative, but I'm sure if I had asked them to follow TSB 04-25-7, they would have declined. The R1H values came in at 13-21-21-27. I'm frustrated because the vibe was present with the OEM tires also, which indicates to me that tires are not the issue.

I'm going to another Ford dealer (my selling dealer) and have a talk to see if there is any avenue of reason to this issue.

 

Hey, a couple of quick questions? What is a TSB? Yeah I have had both issues.

04 with 13,000
Currently in dealer as we speak for third drive shaft! Tires have been ballenced so many times I think the white letters are falling off.

I have had it in the dealer right around 6 times for this vibration.

Start lemon law process? love the truck! tired of driving a rental.

Does anyone think they will the extend our bumper to bumper in these cases?I can just see the tranny falling out at 37,000 and I get stuck with the bill?

 

i hate the dealership i took my truck to. they are abunch of crooks. i took my truck in for vibration. i had some scrap marks on my front right tire from rubbing up against a curb. they told me the vib had to do with the wheels being out of alignment. because they saw those scratches they said i knocked the out of alignment and made em pay for it. i hate some of these dealerships.i have to fight just to get warranty work done right.

 

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin. This is a bulletin that ackowledges there is a problem and has step-by-step procedures to follow to "hopefully" fix it.

 

I'm the eternal skeptic when it come to vehicle warranties. When I examine TSBs 04-25-7 and 04-25-8 re: the vibe and nibble issue, all I see is a potpourri of obstacles that a dealer/Ford can use...anyone of which to stonewall the vehicle owner. For example, after two sets of tires (1 set OEM, 1 set aftermarket) that have been balanced several times, including road force balancing, and a vibe that is torque sensitive, one would think that tire issues could be discounted. But, no, the owner gets stonewalled on tire issues up front per TSB chronologies and Ford refuses any further diagnosis of the vibe issue.

 

Actually, per the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Ford cannot refuse to fix any problem under warranty, unless they can prove the aftermarket product is the reason for the defect. The mere fact that they won't look at a vehicle with aftermarket wheels and tires, is in my opinion and unexceptable response.

Curmegeon,

Have you gone to the service manager of the dealership? If so and you got the same answer have you gone to the owner of the dealership?

I have had both Vibration issues, and still have driveline remaining. The steering wheel nibble was corrected by replacing two BFG tires at no charge per the extended warranty. The driveline vibration is still not fixed and is not in any way attributed to tires. I will be taking into the dealership tomorrow to have an FSE look at it.

 

Crash...keep us posted.

My local dealer is well known for mediocre service. I'm hopeful my selling dealer is more rational and wants my return business.

Curmudgeon

 

Just took mine in today to have the FSE check it out in the morning. At least I got them to go through the steps in the TSB and this time use a EVA. (Electronic Vibration Analyzer)

I had the Service Foreman drive the vehicle with me in it. I of course got the usual answer of "I think I feel something". I then corrected him by asking if he feels something or not. He said he did. We will see...

I do have to give them to opportunity to do the due diligence to try and correct the problem.

I will update this tomorrow once I get more info.

 

Curmugeon,

Well, I may be resigning from the “steering wheel nibble” chapter of the “Vibe Tribe”. I had my BFG 285/70R/17s and Eagle 058s Road Forced and balanced today at a tire shop that gave a ****, and my nibble is now almost 100% gone. It’s very minor at 60 MPH, as compared to drastic at 65-80.

Why these guys came up with different readings and could manage to balance my tires when my dealer couldn’t is beyond me. They first took it for a test drive, then spent 2hrs working on it. Then we both went for a test drive to ensure I was happy. It’s like night and day, literally. The guy apologized for not being able to fix it 100%, but he said “it’s barely noticeable at 60, and who drives 60 these days anyway?” he also said that if I’d bought my tires from him, he’d have matched them to my wheels and I wouldn’t even have the slight nibble.

Now, I’m in search of a service dept that gives a ****.

Chuck